Saturday, October 21, 2017

Game 7 Hot Links

*On the back of Justin Verlander and, finally, some offense, the Astros forced Game 7. Verlander didn't throw another complete game, but it was another 7IP, 5H/0ER, 8K:1BB. So far this postseason Verlander has thrown 24.2IP, 17H/4ER, 24K:6BB.

*Altuve, Correa, and McCann each had two hits - Altuve hit a home run and drove in three. Alex Bregman was 1x3 with 2RBI.

*Altuve:I literally love Justin Verlander. The way he goes out there makes me feel like I have to go out there and play the same way he's doing it.

Verlander, on the Astros' offensive explosion:There was no question these guys were going to break out, it was just a matter of time. Thankfully that wasn't next year.

Springer and Reddick were each 0x4 making them a combined 2x43 this series. McCann was 0x20 before his 5th inning RBI ground-rule double.

*Hinch:Obviously we've been waiting for the big hit for a couple of games. And no better time than for McCann to have a really good at-bat battle, get a pitch he could drive, and then obviously break things open.

Altuve, on his emotional outburst upon getting his first hit since Game 2:I'm not a guy that shows a lot of emotion while I'm playing. But I didn't realize what I was doing. I was just happy...you let yourself go. And I hope I didn't offend anybody. I was just happy because I was helping my team. And I think it's very understandable because of the situation, and the importance of the game that we are playing.

*Hinch tabbed Charlie Morton to get the Game 7 start:He's been one of the unluckiest pitchers in the postseason. He's not been hit hard, given up a couple of runs here and there. We just feel like with regular rest, he's a great option.

Expect a quick hook for Morton if he continues to stay unlucky, with McHugh to follow him.

*Dallas Keuchel will be available out of the bullpen for tonight's game. Keuchel:No pitcher is going to be in the dugout. They're all going to be in the bullpen - myself included. If things get crazy, I'm your man. I'm your man before things get crazy, hopefully.

*Hinch:I'll use every pitcher on the staff if we have to get 27 outs. You're going to see a game played tomorrow with everybody available, obviously. Probably not Verlander, but he's superhuman, so we'll see how he shows up.

*Joe Sheehan notes that Ken Giles threw on back-to-back days 13 times this year, but last night's 23 pitches were the most he had thrown on the front end.

*Should the Astros win, they can throw Keuchel in Game 1 and Verlander in Game 2.

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